OTTAWA, ON, May 14, 2018 – Pythian, a global IT company that helps businesses leverage disruptive data technologies to better compete, announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Vanessa Simmons, Vice President of Business Development at Pythian, to its prestigious 2018 Women of the Channel list. The executives who comprise this annual list span the IT channel, representing vendors, distributors, solution providers and other organizations that figure prominently in the channel ecosystem. Each is recognized for her outstanding leadership, vision and unique role in driving channel growth and innovation.
CRN editors select the Women of the Channel honorees based on their professional accomplishments, demonstrated expertise and ongoing dedication to the IT channel.
Vanessa’s passion for technology and talent for relationship building have led her to her current role as VP of Business Development at Pythian. In 2013 she launched the Pythian Business Development team, which she has built from the ground up. For the past three years she has led Business Developments’ strategy which has focused on supporting Pythian’s transformation into a cloud-first/cloud-forward technology company. She has actively built strong relationships with Google, Microsoft and Amazon that have helped drive Pythian’s cloud focus forward to its current state—the fastest growing practice area of the business.
In September of 2017, Vanessa orchestrated a highly successful “Business Development Cloud Throwdown Challenge.” Business Development teamed up with Learning and Development to offer to fund cloud-related training with a goal of certification by December 31. Within 10 minutes of the announcement, the 20 allocated spots were taken. Within a few hours, nearly eighty people had registered, and all were accepted into the program due to the tremendous response. Pythian’s cloud partners provided support with training vouchers to offset some of the costs. Participants said they felt engaged, invigorated and re-motivated.
Vanessa’s mission going forward is “Better, faster, more in the cloud.” “Better at how we approach and deliver cloud projects and communicate with partners and customers; faster at getting projects started up, even as more come in; and helping more clients get started on their cloud journey.”
“This accomplished group of leaders is steadily guiding the IT channel into a prosperous new era of services-led business models and deep, strategic partnerships,” said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. “CRN’s 2018 Women of the Channel list honors executives who are driving channel progress through a number of achievements—exemplary partner programs, innovative product development and marketing, effective team-building, visionary leadership and accelerated sales growth—as well as advocacy for the next generation of women channel executives.”
“Vanessa is an incredible asset to Pythian and the driving force behind the growth and success of our public cloud partner ecosystem,” said Keith Millar, SVP of Pythian’s Business Services. “She has played a tremendous role in solidifying and strengthening these relationships and regularly advocates on their behalf both internally and externally with an extraordinary amount of energy and enthusiasm.”
The 2018 Women of the Channel list will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine and online at www.CRN.com/wotc.
About Pythian
Pythian is a global IT company that helps businesses leverage disruptive data technologies to better compete. Our services and software solutions unleash the power of cloud, data and analytics to drive better business outcomes. Our 20 years in data, commitment to hiring the best talent, and our deep technical and business expertise allow us to meet our client promise of using technology to deliver the best outcomes faster.
About the Channel Company
The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace.
CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.
The Channel Company contact
Kim Sparks
The Channel Company
(508) 416-1193
ksparks@thechannelco.com
Pythian contact
Lesley Slack
Pythian
(613) 818-6855
slack@pythian.mykana.com
